Monday, November 19, 2012

"DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL" IS HERE TO PLEASE

A
perfect early holiday gift for the whole family is being unwrapped at
the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford daily until
Sunday, November 25. Now that Thanksgiving is a warm and fuzzy and
delicious memory, it's time to get in the festive spirit and what better
way than to take the kiddies to see "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole
Christmas! The Musical."

Who can resist that feathery green
monster without a heart, especially when he has a spider-filled brain
with a termite-ridden smile, the disposition of a nasty skunk, and a
soul stuffed with unwashed socks? Only a meanie could hate Christmas
and do everything in his power to make sure it doesn't happen. What are
the people of Whoville to do in this dastardly situation? The Grinch
wants to steal their favorite holiday.

With book and lyrics by
Timothy Mason, original score by Mel Marvin and choreography by John
DeLuca, this family show has been a favorite since 1994 when the estate
of Dr. Seuss gave permission to adapt his book.

The musical will
star Stefan Karl, from Iceland, as the appropriately chilly frozen
minded stinker who wants to drain all the joy from the tinsel-filled
day. The Grinch uses all his powers to intimidate the people of
Whoville, especially young and old Max, Cindy Lou Who, Mama Who and
Grandma Who.

Is it possible to take a green meanie with a heart
two sizes too small and transform him into a generous and happy
creature? With songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Who Likes
Christmas?," "I Hate Christmas Eve," "It's the Thought That Counts,"
"One of a Kind," "This Time of Year" and "Welcome, Christmas," you are
able to travel the spectrum from despair to joy that this eighty-four
minute show without an intermission will engender. It's a great first
show for a child to see, stuffed as it is with a colorful array of
costumed actors and a story that will touch your heart.

For
tickets ($20-60), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at
860-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.org. Performances are Friday and
Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m.
and 5 p.m.

Come hear Max the Dog tell the warm-hearted tale of a
cold-hearted schemer who learns lessons that change his mind about the
value and importance of Christmas.